The top 10 best cities for new graduates

As college students toss their caps in the air and become official graduates, their thoughts quickly to turn to where their lives will lead them next.
Graduates looking to relocate will want to look for a few key things: an affordable lifestyle, good-paying jobs, an active social scene and of course a low unemployment rate.
The following are the 10 best cities for new grads, according to Kiplinger.com.

10
Seattle

Famous for its coffeehouses and fish markets, Seattle is the home of tech giants Amazon and Microsoft. However, this northwestern city is also home to many other types of industry, including: aerospace, finance, legal firms, green energy and business services. Seattle also provides recent grads a great place to try their hand at starting a new business.

Population: 3.4 million

Percent of population in their twenties: 14.7 percent

Median salary: $43,800/year

Average apartment rental cost: $1,436/month

Average cost of living for renters: 23.1 percent above national average

9
Dallas

With an unemployment rate almost two points below the national average, Dallas is a promising location for grads to settle down in. Along with many smaller companies, Dallas is home to AT&T and Texas Instruments, and American Airlines is located in the neighboring city of Fort Worth.

Population: 6.3 million

Percent of population in their twenties: 14.3 percent

Median salary: $42,900/year

Average apartment rental cost: $799/month

Average cost of living for renters: 7.2 percent above national average

8
Washington, D.C.

It's no wonder that our nation's capital is a hot spot for recent graduates. Government jobs abound as well as employment in the health care industry and technology field. While living costs are higher, many local museums, the National Zoo and monuments are free attractions offering a multitude of entertainment options.

Population: 5.5 million

Percent of population in their twenties: 14.4 percent

Median salary: $46,100/year

Average apartment rental cost: $1,852/month

Average cost of living for renters: 28.0 percent above the national average

7
Phoenix

With a job-growth rate expected to rise, great hiking trails and lots of sun, Phoenix is fast becoming a popular place for college grads to gravitate towards. The Valley of the Sun has companies like State Farm Insurance, USAA, Banner Health and even Arizona State University, where grads can find gainful employment.

Population: 4.2 million

Percent of population in their twenties: 14.4 percent

Median salary: $41,100/year

Average apartment rental cost: $833/month

Average cost of living for renters: 1.0 percent above national average

6
San Diego

Graduates looking for long walks on the beach and a pleasant climate can look no further than San Diego as a viable option. San Diego has a prominent military presence, along with other major markets, including: health care, education and green energy. Despite struggling with unemployment rates, San Diego is now below the national average.

Population: 3.1 million

Percent of population in their twenties: 16.8 percent

Median salary: $42,400/year

Average apartment rental cost: $1,752/month

Average cost of living for renters: 28.6 percent above national average

5
Anchorage, Alaska

With leading industries including: health care, business, engineering, education, legal services and accounting, along with no state income or sales taxes, Anchorage is a promising location for recent grads. Grads may experience a higher cost of living, but they make it up with higher paying jobs.

The city features many attractions that graduates will enjoy, including: galleries, fishing, skiing, hiking and more.

Population: 374,200

Percent of population in their twenties: 15.7 percent

Median salary: $47,600/year

Average apartment rental cost: $1,269/year

Average cost of living for renters: 29.6 percent above national average

4
Houston

This big Texas town is about to gain around 10,000 jobs with the new ExxonMobil campus. While oil is a big employer, the University of Houston and the Memorial Hermann Health System also provide many jobs to recent grads. Along with great job opportunities, the city provides its residents with a multitude of entertainment options, including, ballets, films, concerts, boat tours and even skateparks.

Population: 5.8 million

Percent of population in their twenties: 14.5 percent

Median salary: $46,800/year

Average apartment rental cost: $1,275/month

Average cost of living for renters: 8.2 percent above national average

3
Boulder, Colo.

Despite a smaller population than the other cities on this list, Boulder does not lack exceptional jobs, especially with big players like Ball Aerospace, IBM and even the University of Colorado Boulder. Young people attracted to outdoor living come to Boulder in droves. Hiking and biking trails are plentiful, along with many climbing hot spots in the Rocky Mountains. The city also boasts a low unemployment rate of 7.9 percent.

Population: 293,205

Percent of population in their twenties: 17 percent

Median salary: $41,900/year

Average apartment rental cost: $904/month

Average cost of living for renters: 4.5 percent above national average

2
Ann Arbor, Mich.

College grads looking to work in higher education do not have to go far, as the University of Michigan is one of its largest employers. Toyota Technical Center and Trinity Health medical center are also major employers in Ann Arbor. This little city features an art fair, botanical gardens, museums and for the sports fans, they can catch a football game at the local University.

Population: 344,727

Percent of population in their twenties: 19.7 percent

Median salary: $41,600/year

Average apartment rental cost: $915/year

Average cost of living for renters: 3.1 percent above national average

1
Salt Lake City

A hot spot for outdoor lovers, Salt Lake City is nestled near several canyons and parks. The city has a lower cost of living, a low unemployment rate (5 percent), which is three points below the national average and a blossoming young population. With the recent addition of Adobe in the neighboring county and established companies like Delta Airlines and the University of Utah, Salt Lake City offers grads plentiful job options. This city also provides its residents with the opportunity to attend a number of arts festivals, galleries and museums.

Population: 1.1 million

Percent of population in their twenties: 16.5 percent

Median salary: $41,300/year

Average apartment rental cost:$770/month

Average cost of living for renters: 1.5 percent below national average